Did You Know ?The soldier on guard in
the scene from the film "The Reluctant Debutant" is Roger LaVern. He was a member of the Household Cavalry Regiment
of the Royal Horse Guards and it was his turn on duty when the film was shot

NewsMon 17 Jun 2013
Very sad news. We have just learned that Roger has lost his battle with cancer and has died. We believe that he
has died peacefully at his Bromley, Kent home, but cannot confirm this. We send our condolences to Maria and their family. Rest in peace Roger.

25 May 2013We have just heard that Roger LaVern, is in hospital fighting terminal cancer. Ward Medical 2,
Princess Royal University Site, Farnborough Common, Orpington, Kent BR6 8ND. We send him our very best wishes.

12 December 2006Roger is working hard on his autobiography, "Despite
Everything - I'm Still Here!". . . On Saturday 3rd February 2007 he will be attending the
Joe Meek Festival
at
The Wyllyotts Theatre in Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. . .
. The advance market research results for the
"Piano" CD have been incredible. Roger has been delighted to
hear so many comments praising this recording. The CD will be released at
the same time as Roger's Autobiography
"Despite Everything - I'm Still Here!". . . Listen out for Roger's December 1963 Christmas records
"Christmas
Stocking" and "Reindeer Ride", available from Sanctuary Records. Roger sends you his best wishes.

13 February 2006
Roger enjoyed a visit to Welwyn Garden City for a business meeting.
He also enjoyed lunch at The Attimore, Ridgeway, WGC, and finally met up
with Kenny Hollywood, who recorded "Magic Star", the vocal
version of Roger's hit "Telstar".

31 October 2005Soon to be released on CD during
November 2005 on Sanctuary Records "Billy Fury & The Tornados
Radio Luxemburg Recordings" (Double CD CMQDD1170) also "The
Tornados" (3 CD Set)

18 August 2005Roger is definitely looking and feeling better, although he has lost a lot of weight. Today, plans have
been discussed for the promotion of the 'Piano' CD
single and the possible recording of more tracks to complete an album.
The long awaited autobiography is also nearing completion.

03 August 2005On
Thursday 28th July 2005 Roger went for his usual hospital check up.
On finding that he had low blood count, they gave him a pint of
blood and he had a very bad reaction to it - he went into cardiac
arrest!

He has just returned home from the hospital and telephoned to see how I was getting
on with the design for the CD sleeve.

Rest well Roger and make a good recovery.

25 July 2005Roger enjoyed a meal with his
friend Dave Barber at the Raj Palace, Bromley on 25 Jul 05 (see photo on
the right). The item on
top of their discussion was the release of Roger's CD single "Piano".

Although still not 100% fit Roger
is raring to get his CD single "Piano" released, and is looking
forward to promoting it. Designs for the CD sleeve have been discussed
and drafts will be available in a few weeks.

Roger has also recently enjoyed meeting up
with his friend from 1962, former New Musical Express reporter,
Chris Hutchings. It was Chris who had telephoned Roger, when he was with the Tornados,
to tell them that their record "Telstar"
had made into the Top 10. It, of course, went on to reach number one and
become a world wide smash.

Besides his battle with cancer, we were saddened to learn that Roger
has also recently suffered a heart attack.

We wish him well as he continues his recovery from all his recent trauma.

01 April 2005

Roger is now feeling a lot better after major surgery to remove two large tumors
and chemotheropy.

The illness put on hold the release, and the promoting, of the excellent new CD
single that Roger recorded last year 'Piano'.

Les
Tornados pictured outside the Paris Olympia, in April 1963. They were
top of the bill at this famous theatre. Left to right; Clem Cattini,
Heinz Burt, Roger LaVern, Alan Caddy and George
Bellamy

Roger with Nicole outside the Peartree, Welwyn Garden City on 21 May 2007

Kenny
Plows (Kenny Hollywood) with Roger LaVern on Mon 13 Feb 2006 in Welwyn Garden City. Kenny also recorded
with Joe Meek. Kenny's track "Magic Star" was a vocal version of the instrumental Telstar.
This is the first time that they have met.

Roger
LaVern pictured at Welwyn Garden City station on Monday 13 Feb 2006 at
18:28 boarding the Kings Cross train at the start of his journey
back home to Kent.

Roger LaVern first contacted Coda in 2000 with the desire to
record and have arranged three instrumentals. Since then he has become a good friend.
In 2009, we lost contact with him.